Bottom Line

Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach is a beachfront mega-resort that offers almost every possible amenity. With six pools, five full restaurants, an elegant spa, extensive kids' facilities, and a dramatic cliffside location with Pacific Ocean views, the property is like a small town. Each of the 635 rooms is spacious and offers a kitchenette, flat-screen TVs, water-view balconies, and (optional) private hot tubs. However, the steep grounds can be difficult to navigate without constant golf cart transportation -- which is free -- and the beach is wide and beautiful, but isn't swimmable (a common problem in Cabo). Additionally, there are fees for Wi-Fi and the gym if not on an all-inclusive plan. The smaller, more intimate Villa del Arco Beach Resort & Spa offers most of the same amenities for less.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Sprawling, beachfront resort with modern polish and a family-friendly focus

True to the Pueblo Bonito brand, this hotel is designed on a grand scale. Oversized entryways, sprawling pool terraces, and a panoramic layout that covers every inch of the massive cliff on which the hotel sits all feel meant to inspire awe. For the most part, the hotel lives up to those first impressions, though interiors are a blend of dated and modern spaces. The decor is equal parts Mediterranean and Mexican colonial, and include handsome painted pottery and gaudier statuary that ensure nothing ever feels underdecorated. As such, though, it feels just a step off of its upscale aspirations. Still, most people are here for the sheer volume of things to do, which include excellent kids' facilities, plenty of pools, and an attractive (if unswimmable) beach that's fine for sunbathing and a game of pick-up volleyball or two. That the hotel is trying to provide “all things to all people” means that the clientele varies widely. Guests are as likely to be large families with small children as honeymooning couples seeking a quiet, romantic getaway. The vibe is lively -- particularly when the hotel is at capacity -- but rarely ever raucous.

The hotel is situated on a steep cliffside at the end of a long, winding, private access road. While the away-from-it-all atmosphere is part of the hotel's charms, it also means that there's nothing to see or do within a walk. The most popular restaurants, shops, and clubs in downtown Cabo San Lucas are 15 minutes away by car. The lack of a swimmable beach (a common issue with most area hotels) means guests will likely need to venture 20 minutes northeast to Medano Beach to safely take a dip. The hotel runs a free shuttle to its sister property, Pueblo Bonito Rose -- which sits on Medano Beach -- but it must be booked in advance and can be crowded.

The hotel offers paid shuttle service to transport guests to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), 40 minutes north. Rental car counters are alternatively available in the airport terminal with weekly rates comparable to most other Mexican tourist destinations. The area’s ubiquitous, inexpensive taxis and private shuttle buses are often the cheapest transportation option in the immediate area, however.

Room decor is tasteful and reserved, but has been given an overhaul as of 2015 that have helped make them feel more consistently modern than some of the hotel's common areas. Cream-colored marble flooring, beige walls, and dark brown wood furnishings all create rooms that have character, while wall art inspired by Mexican tilework brings a bit of local style to the mix. Bright blue and soft terra cotta tones further the homey, Mexican-inspired vibe as well.

Rooms in each of the three categories are spacious and well-appointed, and all feature kitchenettes with granite countertops and modern appliances like two-burner ranges and microwaves. Base-level Junior Ocean View Suites feature 538-square-foot floor plans (50 square meters) with enough space for separate dining, living, and sleeping areas. Executive Ocean View Suites include all of the above in a considerably larger, 1,088-square-foot layout (101 square meters), that also features a full dining area and a private bedroom with a single king or two queen beds. Flagship Super Executive Suites offer the largest layouts of all, with the best ocean views and private jetted hot tubs. Every room includes a furnished balcony with at least partial views of the Pacific Ocean. Air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs are standard, however Wi-Fi is only free for guests on the all-inclusive plan.

Bathrooms are generously sized, though not large. Rich marble and stone cover the floors, vanities, and shower surrounds, continuing the sophisticated look and feel found in every room. The hotel’s own Armonia Spa branded bath products are standard. Walk-in shower stalls are located in every room category, and some have separate tubs as well.

Six beautiful pools, five full restaurants, and a lovely spa/salon, but an unswimmable beach

Given the property’s massive size, it’s no surprise that it offers one of the most exhaustive amenities lists of any hotel in Cabo San Lucas. Most noteworthy are the six pools, five restaurants, three bars, and a chic, full-service spa. The lack of a swimmable beach may be a deal breaker for some guests, especially given the number of families that flock here for the extensive kids' facilities. A free shuttle does run to Pueblo Bonito Rose on the tranquil waters of Medano Beach, but it must be booked in advance and can be crowded or sell out. Things like Wi-Fi and valet parking are generally free, though the former is only included with all-inclusive packages.

Plenty of pools including a kiddy pool, an adult-only pool, and hot tubs

Six pools are scattered throughout the property, giving everyone enough space to curl up on a lounge chair or play in the water. The Main Pool is situated on an expansive terrace with a bridge and swim-up bar, and features great ocean views. Two additional pools -- one for children and another reserved for adults -- are situated on the opposite side of the property, near La Taqueria restaurant. However, the hotel’s showpiece is its SkyPool -- a wide, two-tiered pool situated at the top of the property, and offering breathtaking panoramic views of the grounds, beach, and ocean. Hot tubs and poolside drink service are available at every pool, and most have upbeat music playing throughout the day. Many also feature entertainment staff putting on activities throughout the day.

A wealth of dining options, including a sushi bar and a 24-hour bistro, plus 24-hour room service

The hotel features five full restaurants, many of which offer buffets that range from average to well-liked when it comes to quality. It's also worth noting that not all are included with the hotel's all-inclusive rates. The Bistro is the main casual dining space and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus on a 24-hour basis. La Nao offers more limited a la carte service -- open only for breakfast and dinner -- in a casually elegant indoor/outdoor space with lovely water views. Three themed specialty restaurants provide additional a la carte options. LaFrida Restaurant (surcharge) serves authentic Mexican in an elegant fine-dining atmosphere. Zao Shen and Tazuna offer pan-Asian and Japanese sushi, respectively, in modern, upscale -- though not stuffy -- spaces. A handful of “Aquabars” (the hotel’s nomenclature for bars located in or near a pool) dot the property -- all offer a full list of beer, wine, and tropical cocktails.

The on-site Armonia Spa is situated near the main lobby and is done in a handsome blend of marble, dark wood, ornate artwork, and decorative accents. It's not quite as sleek as the spas at some competitors -- like the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos -- but it's nicer than others (like the spa at the Marina Fiesta downtown). The menu includes dozens of typical treatments, as well as complete spa rituals, prenatal massage, and spa treatments for kids. An adjacent salon provides a full list of beauty services, and premium brand products are available for purchase in the attached boutique. The hotel has a modern fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment as well, though it's not free unless guests are on the all-inclusive plan.

Aside from a small event space and a dozen outdoor beds, there are few facilities of any kind on the wide stretch of beach. The Pacific Ocean water is often rough to the point of being dangerous to swim, as rip currents are a common occurrence. The staff strongly discourages swimming and a full-time security guard patrols the beach on ATV to ensure guests stay out of the water.

A sleek, modern kids' club with arcade games, “bar,” and movie theater

The hotel’s Fun Lab provides kids (anyone under 20) with a supervised hideaway situated apart from most other common areas at the resort. The sleek, modern space features rows of beanbag chairs with state-of-the-art video game consoles, plus a “bar” serving non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. Arcade games, air hockey tables, and mini-basketball games dot the club, while an ultra-modern theater plays first-run movies to a few dozen guests.

Free valet and self-parking are provided in a gated lot with 24-hour security. A dedicated Avis counter is on-site to provide guests with convenient rental car services. Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby and common areas as part of the all-inclusive plan.